June 2006

Tortilla Tech: Specs And Video

For a long time we've been very focused on the outputs of the burrito making line, and have glossed over the tools of the trade.

DoughPro's DP2000 (The TortillaPro) is just too interesting to ignore.

Panchero's began using the DoughPro tortilla making machine in 1998, and has never looked back. Their tortillas are made seconds before filling application. This results in low degrees of tortilla consistency, but unmatched levels of freshness.

Oh, and we have the blueprints, kinda.

How does this crazy machine work? I'm so glad you're still reading. Because we have video of the DP2000 in action. Check out the link for the video. Note the technician in the white laboratory coat.

Powered By Burritos

I apologize for my absence, dear readers, but I was riding my bicycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles along with about 1,800 other riders to support the fight against HIV and AIDS.

There are many people I have to thank for helping me achieve my fundraising goal. Among them is my sole corporate sponsor, the very generous Taqueria El Buen Sabor, who helped sponsor my ride and also supplied me with a free t-shirt (barely distinguishable in the picture shown here), which I was happy to wear on the ride.

El Buen Sabor also supplied me (though not free) with one of their delicious Super Chile Verde burritos the night before, which provided me with some of the nutrients necessary to complete the 585 mile ride. Review to follow.

Thank you, El Buen Sabor, for your contribution in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Excitement, Ingredients Not Contained

Having finally arrived at Taqueria Cancun, I was a little discouraged to have my burrito fall apart. The wrap was super tight, which is rare for a specimen with a grilled tortilla. Yes, Taqueria Cancun uses grills, not steam.

Phil joined me, but I forget what he had.

While lacking in structural integrity, the carne asada burrito was definitely above average with respect to taste.

Ready, Set, Tortilla Toss

A few Sundays ago in San Francisco, the annual Bay to Breakers race took place. For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it's a 12k race that began in 1912. Over the years, it developed from a serious athletic event to something of a drunkfest/parade.

Sure, there are still some serious athletes who run out in front of the pack, but they're followed by a mass of about 70,000 drunk, costumed (sometimes nude) partiers.

To kick off the race, thousands of tortillas are hurled into the air at the starting line in the annual "Tortilla Toss." To get a picture of the flying tortillas, this burrito analyst would have had to wake up at about 7am on a Sunday. Not likely.

Instead, I provide you with a picture of the Tortilla Toss aftermath, where the streets of San Francisco become blanketed by burritos that will never be.

Welcome To Santa Fe Cafe

Burrito Blog speculates that there are many restaurants that feature the obviously common rhyming name, 'Santa Fe Cafe.' This particular location is in Rosslyn, Virginia, (Map) just beyond the district borders and near The Pentagon in the heart land of the Military Industrial Complex.

Incidentally, I had just seen Why We Fight the week before in San Diego, near the naval base.

Return to Santa Fe, in Virginia.

The cafe is has seating but no table service - that's exactly my style. Available selections include hamburgers and salads, which filled me with fear.